DISNEY BOOKS EL CAPITAN LIKE A MULTIPLEX
We found it odd that PRINCESS AND THE FROG was denied the usual long buildup and first-class El Capitan engagemant when it was rushed out last December. Normally such an important feature would get a wide release date months in advance, but all that was announced was a limited engagement at the Disney Studio Theatre. We assumed this was a special run for Academy consideration and that the PRINCESS would get a proper coronation in the Spring. But no....
The run at the studio was priced at a premium, with even the cheapest tickets costing over $30. Amazingly, another run was booked at the Ziegfeld Theatre in Manhattan, but with a similar price tag. It seemed obvious that the moderately sized theatre on the historic Disney lot would sell out quickly, however, expecting the nearly 1000 seat Ziegfeld to sell out at the same $30-50 price range was an outrageous thought, even given the walk-through exhibit at Roseland that came with it.
The Studio run did not quite sell out, and the Ziegfeld run didn't even come close. Then suddenly it was announced that PRINCESS AND THE FROG would open wide just a couple weeks later in December. Such an inauspicious opening did not bode well for this entertaining landmark movie that deserved better.
Recently, after an offensively intrusive premiere, WHEN IN ROME opened in Hollywood at the El Capitan and promptly fell on its face. Disney soon pulled it from the theatre and hastily prepared an alternate attraction. Friday morning the El Cap's Marquee displayed both UP in 3D and PRINCESS AND THE FROG. Both are nominated for Oscars, but while PRINCESS was never granted an audience at the El Cap, UP has been on video for months.
Inbetween major releases, animated double features have been shown here before, notably BEAUTY AND THE BEAST with ALADDIN, and recently the first two TOY STORY movies. If Disney wanted equal attention for it's two newest Oscar nominees, a double feature would make perfect sense. But no...
Disney has decided instead to book the El Capitan like it was a Multiplex. That's right, Though the signs out front say "SEE 2" features, the regular admission price includes only ONE. It'll cost you more to see both. Separate but Equal doesn't sound like the proper way to treat this Princess, does it?
So again I'm staying home with Netflix. -TJE
